21st Birthday city break?

[silane]

I'm planning a 21st birthday city break for my son and his boyfriend. This will be his big present off us. He'll be going 2 weeks after his actual 21st due to university terms, so will actually be 21 wherever he goes.

We were thinking New York? (He's into art & museums). They both like history. We could get them some cheapo flights and a room in an airbnb/ cheap hotel. We're thinking 3/4 nights.

Flights to San Francisco are similar in price but the time difference would be a killer!

Or maybe somewhere in Europe? If they went to Europe we could get them a nice hotel with maybe upgraded flights?

They travel a lot together so are used to adapting quickly to new places, and are always full of energy to go and test out the night life too.

They have to go in March due to university holidays. Any ideas appreciated!

100% New York!!! I went there for my 21st and have been there 3 times overall!! In my opinion it's the best city in the world!

I'll make some European suggestions...

Berlin - plenty of art, plenty of history, loads of nightlife. An upgraded hotel wouldn't be a budget killer.

Ljubljana - still off the beaten track for most tourists, different enough to have less well known art and history, a very foody destination with great cuisine and fantastic wine that's rarely found outside the country. Prices aren't high, and an upgrade to a better hotel and the hire of a car for a couple of days to get out of the city to explore the countryside (Lake Bled, Postojna caves and castle, Koper on the coast) would add to the experience.

I second both Berlin and Ljubljana, the latter is just picture perfect, so beautiful, as well as wonderful food and drink.

I went to Prague at a similar age and had an amazing time, ditto Seville.

Is his gf also 21? If not then they won't be able to drink in USA, may not be an issue for them but would be for me!

If they travel to New York they need hotel accommodation .

Airbnb is problematic in nyc and short term let’s are not permitted in the 5 boroughs

Barcelona would get my vote for the Gaudi and the weather in March.

Berlin, so cool and great gay scene.

I'd go for Barcelona as well - plenty to see & do. Get an hotel on Las Ramblas.

Immigration to USA is awful, & they'd also need ESTAs.

Amsterdam for Banksy, Van Gogh & other art galleries
Also film & science museum
All in city centre
Boat ride round canals
Street markets

I would go for New York but as pp said, don't risk Air BnB

I’d say Seattle over NYC, especially if they are well travelled. New York only seems to appeal to people who’ve not seen much of anywhere else. It’s not the best this country has to offer by a long way. Time difference can be tough (we are 8 hours behind the U.K. here on the west coast). But I used to come and visit my now-husband when we were long-distance for 3 or 4 days over a bank holiday weekend or something and it was doable.

god reading this i realise how boring i am.for mine i would have prefered somewhere in france.perhaps shlepping up the canal di midi in a boat!or a cottage in devon or dorset coast.

Agree with @BritWifeinUSA - NYC is a bucket list city in itself but not necessarily appealing to someone who is well travelled. How about Boston?

I second Berlin. I will throw Tel Aviv into the mix having just returned.

Personally I think NY is too far for 3 nights (but then I'm not 21 anymore - woe is me)

In the end we decided for New York. Yes it’s commonly visited, but we felt somewhere like Berlin or Turin can easily be done as a fun weekend away rather than a big birthday present. Plus we got a stonking deal at a 4* hotel in Manhattan for less than £400 for 4 nights